Trade Your Date for a Newer, Sportier Model

Earlier this week, millions of Americans observed, open-mouthed, as the slow-motion trainwreck known as The Bachelor finale skidded across their televisions. Race car driver Arie Luyendyk chose Becca to be his wife. Then, after what appeared to be weeks of engaged bliss, he dragged the poor woman back into the spotlight to dump her like last week’s leftover fish, then proposed to runner-up Lauren B.

Will the new bride-to-be find happiness? Or will poor Lauren join the ranks of post-reality TV D-list celebrities on her way to an inevitable trip to rehab? And really . . . did the “greatest generation” storm the beaches of Normandy so that their descendants could carry on like this?

(Honestly, we shouldn’t be too surprised that The Bachelor finished up like that. Modern dating is a lot like shopping at IKEA. You fight the traffic and crowds to find something attractive, stylish, and within your price range. You spend way too much time futzing with an Allen wrench to get it just the way you want it. Then you hope it doesn’t fall apart in a year.)

But Arie’s choice (not to be confused with Sophie’s choice) brings up an interesting question for you and your business. Do your current clients really meet your relationship needs? And what should you do if they don’t?

Most of you think of this time of year as “busy season.” And yeah, it is . . . you’re probably spending lots of hours preparing tax returns for clients or managing the process of preparing tax returns. You’re working in the business, not on it. And you don’t think now would be the time to break up with anyone.

But is that really the best attitude? Or is now, when prospective better clients are talking about taxes, an opportunity to trade up?

On yesterday’s Marketing and Management Call, a member said that he was “too stuck in the ‘recording history’ season,” and having trouble getting in front of new people while bogged down in tax-prep work. Here was one member’s reply:

Way back in 1534, King Henry VIII declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. (How’s that for a non sequitur?) He did it so he could divorce his wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon, and marry Anne Boleyn, his “newer and sportier model.” But the precedent he established lives on today. So, if you’re not happy with your current client mix, don’t be afraid to take advantage of today’s new-tax-law opportunities to trade up!